CPBL Foreign Players Updates Volume #79
Lamigo Monkeys News: Roger Bernadina
After several years without any foreign positional players in the CPBL, suddenly there are three in the 2019 season. On April 18, the Lamigo Monkeys surprised everyone with the signing of former Major League outfielder Roger Bernadina.
“Bernadina will take over the primary centre fielder role,” said the Monkeys’ manager. “We will make the final decision on which player to release in early May, until then, Bernadina will play in the farm league.”
The 34-year-old left-handed hitter has seven MLB seasons under his belt from 2008 to 2014. After leaving the MLB system, Bernadina spent two seasons (2017-2018) in the KBO with the KIA Tigers.
During his time in Korea, Bernadina posted a combined record of .315/.387/.515 with 47 home runs and 64 stolen bases across 1070 at-bats for the KIA Tigers. He also helped the Tigers to capture the Korean Series in 2017.
Zeke Spruill on the Chopping Board?
With the arrival of Roger Bernadina, the media speculate that Zeke Spruill might be on the chopping board. With a massive drop in his velocity, Spruill, the former Monkeys’ ace struggled hard in the past two seasons. As of April 18, Spruill posted a 7.51 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 17 innings.
Further Readings
Foreign players come and goes, therefore we compiled a foreign players tracker to keep track of all the foreign players signing for the 2019 CPBL season.
An exciting move by Lamigo. Any idea what Bernadina has been doing this spring before signing with Lamigo?
Bernadina played well in the KBO last year and deserved to be brought back for another season, but perhaps he also had tax problems that affected so many foreign players in the KBO.
Probably self training? I think that’s why the Monkeys did not cut Spruill loose right away. They will probably give Bernadina a few weeks to tune up in the minor league first.
Bernadina supposed to play in Japan’s indie league, but I think the Monkeys sniped him before leaving for Japan.
By the way, the Monkeys and Brothers are still looking for more pitchers. Assuming they will find them from the Atlantic League?
Atlantic League play has not started yet, so there isn’t much to judge its pitchers on yet. I noticed that Tyler Cloyd and Bennett Parry have recently signed with Atlantic League teams, so they could be possibilities if they get off to fast starts once the Atlantic League season starts on April 26th.
I doubt there is any money to be made playing in Japan’s BC League, so I’m not surprised Bernadina would jump at the chance to play in the CPBL.
From my understanding Japan’s BC League monthly salary is between 1000 to 3600 USD for roughly a 6-month season.
Also while we are on the topics of foreign hitters. Turns out the Uni-Lions also wanted to sign a foreign positional player at the beginning of the season to cover 2B and SS.